Each day in November—leading up to the winter meetings—Sporting News will analyze the offseason to-do list of a major league team. Today: the Atlanta Braves.

The retirement of Chipper Jones moves the Atlanta Braves into a new era. He was the last of the core members from the club’s 14-year run of division winners. But don’t worry about the Braves. Their future without Jones looks as bright as their past was with him.

OFFSEASON AGENDA

Jones’ absence does leave a large hole at third base and in the heart of the lineup. Atlanta also has holes to fill in center field and the leadoff spot, plus a possible hole in left and a temporary hole behind the plate until Brian McCann comes back from shoulder surgery.

The rest of the lineup is set and, even more impressive, the Braves are the rare team that does not need to shop for pitching. After exercising their options on Tim Hudson and Paul Maholm, they have no fewer than seven candidates for the rotation. And their Craig Kimbrel-led bullpen remains in strong hands.

Atlanta also is in a strong position to fill its needs. The versatility of Martin Prado, who could end up at third base or in left field, allows the club to be a flexible shopper. The Braves could go for a third baseman and keep Prado in left or move Prado to third and bring in outfield help.

They also gain some financial flexibility with the salary of Jones and a few others coming off the books. The Braves probably don’t have the resources to pursue Josh Hamilton in free agency, but they could be in play for the likes of B.J. Upton.

Catcher Gerald Laird just became their first acquisition. A backup for the Detroit Tigers in 2012, Laird could play regularly until McCann is ready and then move into a reserve role.

POSSIBLE DEPARTURES

Michael Bourn proved to be a pretty good fit in Atlanta because of his Gold Glove defense and ability to lead off. The Braves, however, are not likely to meet an asking price for the free-agent center fielder that reportedly is in the $100 million range, especially when Upton also is on the market. Upton is just as strong defensively, has nearly as much speed and can hit 20-plus homers.

The Braves lost backup catcher David Ross when the Boston Red Sox nearly doubled his salary. A number of reserve outfielders also have become free agents, including Eric Hinske, Matt Diaz and Reed Johnson.

Righthander Jair Jurrjens, once one of the team’s top starters, is a non-tender candidate after making $5.5 million while spending much of the season in the minors. His ERA ballooned from 2.96 in 2011 to 6.89 in 2012.

EARLY 2013 OUTLOOK

Combine their unmatched trio of 23-year-olds—right fielder Jason Heyward, first baseman Freddie Freeman and shortstop Andrelton Simmons—with a stable pitching staff, and the Braves should contend, regardless of who ends up in center field and at third base. To do more than contend, though, they will need a couple of their young starters to step up.